Rule #9 in Dr. Ritchason’s Golden Rules of Health
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“Exercise regularly the rest of your life.” The 9th Golden Rule is a mantra touted by everyone, but it still is difficult for many of us to keep up with. I know that in my busy schedule (and we’re all busy), I have tried all kinds of exercise. In my thirties, I learned to dance – jazz, tap and ballet – for the very first time. It was a great stress reliever for getting through graduate school, then I turned to Jazzercise. When I was sickly (see my bio in “About Us”), exercise took a far back seat. I started walking and finally bought a treadmill – which I really like – about four months ago. Movement is critical for good health; the pump for our lymphatic system, which moves the waste material from every cell, is in our feet. Without movement, our lymph fluid stagnates, creating swelling and pain. Walking and jogging also help build our bones.
The bottom line is: find the kind of exercise that you like and stick to it. You’ll never be sorry.
Wendy
Do Some People Get to You? Not for Long!
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Have you ever had someone say something that just “got you”, or that didn’t feel good? The Universe works like this: if you hear something that doesn’t feel good, that is because it isn’t true.
Isn’t it good to know that you have eyes to see beauty and look for danger, ears to hear music and oncoming traffic, and feelings to feel truth and untruth? If you think something about yourself that is untrue (like “I am not worthy”, “I’m not good enough” or “I’m never going to realize my dreams”), it will always feel bad. If someone else says something crappy, it will also feel bad. AND I’M GLAD FOR THAT. Why? How else would you know to stop giving it energy? If it isn’t true, then you don’t need to stew on it, right? Remember, your feelings are God’s microphone.
We might as well focus on the truth! I mean, why focus on things that feel bad, when it literally means that they are incorrect and out of alignment?
Jennifer Hough
Are Simple Beginnings on the Brink of Extinction?
Filed Under Entrepreneurs with a Conscience | 1 Comment
There was once a time when neighbors were friends and invited each other over for coffee or a BBQ, people passing on the street would give a friendly greeting, drivers would give a wave of thanks for letting them in your lane, and stores were owned and operated by the locals, offering unique one-of-a-kind items.
When I stop and take a look around as if I were a small town girl who’s never been in a city before, it amazes me that in place of these simple things are less lovable traits that make me want to go back to wherever it was I came from: a threatening note instead of a BBQ invitation, a middle finger instead of a waving hand, and swear words instead of a friendly greeting. It makes me wonder what happened to those friendly simple beginnings. I have to wonder whether they are on the brink of extinction.
A smile and a hello from someone you’ve never met is something everyone should practice in a world that is becoming more and more angry. Giving a smile never hurt anyone. Saying thanks doesn’t end the world. So why not keep the simple beginnings alive? You never know whose day you’ll make.
~Amanda~
ADD: It’s Not What You Think!
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Last night I received an email from a friend who was saying that her ADHD daughter was told by the medical field that her brain isn’t able to slow down in order to process information. The way I see it, the problem is the the way the information is delivered in the first place. For me, ADD stands for Achieving Double Doses - of intelligence, focus, processing power, sensitivity, intuition and capacity for love. It is not a disorder; it is a re-ordering of the brain to a higher function. Most institutions have not evolved to the level of ADD.
ADD and ADHD could be seen as just the evolution of the human brain. Maybe in the future, all kids will be Achieving Double Doses. Some adults are already there. Don’t worry, I’m there, too… and I love it! I know there is nothing wrong with me, so there can’t be anything wrong with others who have ADD, either.
ADD doesn’t need fixing. Check out the the Sudbury School (a new kind of school) and let me know what you think! www.sudval.org or www.katuahsudbury.org
Jennifer Hough
Can Mommy Get a Six-Pack, Reduce Stress and Get Some ZZZ’s?
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“Can mommy get a six-pack?” This is the most common question that new and even long-time moms ask. While many women work VERY hard to see results and are even doing a lot of the right things, like exercising the large muscle groups to increase their lean muscle mass and metabolism as well as eating right, some women still get stuck on their journey to being a mommy with a six-pack.
One thing new moms should consider, if they are not shedding the pounds, is getting their thyroid checked to make sure it is functioning properly. This can be an issue postpartum. Once you have ruled this out, consider the fundamentals of good health. I know this can be difficult for new moms suffering from sleep deprivation and high levels of stress, which has been linked to abdominal fat storage. High stress = high levels of cortisol = high levels of fat deposits in the abdominal region, which has more cortisol receptors.
Here’s where new moms say, “I’m doomed then because I never sleep!” That’s when my inner mommy motivator voice kicks in. Broken sleep is one thing, but bad sleeping habits is another. Many women develop bad sleeping habits postpartum. For instance, breastfeeding can cause moms to be sedentary for many hours of the day, which often leads them to watch more television than they typically would. Many moms I talk to say they have a hard time getting to bed either because of the amount of housework to be done, which they couldn’t get to during the day, or because the evenings are the only times they can spend time with their partner after the baby goes to bed.
While these are all valid points, one piece of advice I always give is: Stop expecting yourself to be and give all or nothing. Being chronically overtired is also counterproductive and can lower your ability to be 100 per cent cognitive. Soul food is a must at this time and I’m not talking just in terms of good nutrition. I’m talking about being accountable to yourself in terms of how your time is spent since time is more precious than ever with a baby in the picture. This means having the guts to admit to yourself that some things need to change. Watching less television and getting to bed early a few nights a week will go a long way toward creating more time for you and improving your health and yes, even your longevity. While transforming yourself into a healthier you might seem like the most daunting task ever, given your new life as a parent, it has never been more important. So get to bed early and take care of yourself, and your abdominals will finally benefit from all the ab work and lunges you’ve been dong!
Want to learn more? Stay tuned for my free “Mommy’s got a six-pack” report at newmom101.com.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Keeping Active Improves Your Sex Life
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My thoughts about and desire for sex are limited by low energy (something I experience frequently now that I’m a mom). In our years of navigating a relationship with three kids, my husband and I have learned that being a fit mom and a fit dad is key to keeping the temperature up in our bedroom. Parenting and work can exhaust a couple so much they feel there is nothing left to give. Being fit makes the demands of life easier to manage. It also makes sex more desirable and more rewarding. I have worked with thousands of women over the years and almost all have agreed that fit people have better sex lives – and this is backed up by lots of research.
1. Fit moms and dads feel better about themselves. This means they feel sexier, which is essential for regular physical intimacy.
2. Fit couples generally have more energy. Regular exercise has been proven to decrease stress and increase energy levels. High stress and low energy will only make you want to do one thing between the sheets – and that’s sleep!
3. Good sex generally requires endurance. You may laugh, but the reality is that inactive people have a hard time sustaining an elevated heart rate comfortably for any length of time and can get distracted from the fun by their own body’s discomfort.
Fitness isn’t a requirement for satisfying sex, but for taxed and tired moms and dads it can help keep evenings steamy, not just sleepy. So make a pledge of passion to yourself and your mate; don’t just run for fun and fitness. Sweat is the new sexy… get in fashion!
If you want other tips on keeping it hot, download “Sex and Relationships 101: A Guide to Love During the Childbearing Years” at www.newmom101.com.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Pregnant Moms Get Moving
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The exercise guidelines put out by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists highly recommend the benefits of keeping a regular fitness regime during pregnancy. However, most recent statistics still note the number of pregnant women in America who choose to exercise during pregnancy is just over 15%.
In a healthy pregnancy the perceived risks of exercise are vastly outweighed by the benefits. Current research recommends that pregnant women without absolute contraindications (complications) exercise at least three times weekly. These recommendations are grounded in findings that show exercise decreases the risk of gestational diabetes and pregnancy-induced hypertension while increasing joint stability, endurance for the demands of labor and the speed of postpartum recovery. Who wouldn’t want these benefits?
It still surprises me that many women still often quote inaccurate, outdated information and myths to justify their choice to remain sedentary. My determination to help women get empowered with the right knowledge has had me writing about this topic for nearly a decade. One article I wrote (called “Don’t Put Your Feet Up, Dear”) outlined the best reasons, based on the most current research, for expecting moms to get and stay active. While I remain committed to educating expecting women, I realize the real need is to get all caregivers up to date on these findings. To assist with just that, I am currently involved in updating a guide distributed to caregivers.
I am sure about one thing, though: many of us are skeptics until our skepticism is proven wrong. Although it has been disproved over and over again, the myth that exercise during pregnancy can in some way be harmful to the baby still sticks in the back of some women’s minds. Remember that less than 25 years ago, there was no Olympic marathon for women! We’ve come a long way – but not quite far enough. In the meantime every pregnant woman should really do her research to build her confidence in all decisions she makes.
Whether it is pregnancy, taking a new job or purchasing a car, the big decisions in life require an investment in yourself and a sense of personal responsibility in asking questions and seeking accurate answers.
Cheers,
Andrea Page
Keeping Track of Successful Dishes
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Have you ever surprised yourself in the kitchen? Maybe you started playing with a recipe and substituted some ingredients because your gut told you to? Or perhaps you were just using what you had on hand, and it ended up better than you expected? I taught a class the other day and created a yummy bean salad that my students gobbled up with wild abandon. Now that’s a recipe I don’t want to forget!
Here’s my advice: WRITE IT DOWN! Keep a cooking journal close by in the kitchen so you can jot down successes that surprise you – and substitutions that maybe you didn’t like quite as much. This way, you can get to know your ingredients, your recipes, your food. What tasted good? Did something have a texture you really liked? If you start to see patterns in how ingredients behave and interact, try starting from scratch without a written recipe in front of you. If it ends up great, write it down… and maybe you’ll even want to share the joy! There’s enough room in the world for us all to be successful. Feel free to post the recipes you’re proud of on the Naturally Savvy™ website (you’ll find a “Submit Your Recipes” link on the Recipes page).
Rebecca
Covering the Basics of Lupus – Part II
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In my last blog I discussed the origins of the autoimmune disease called lupus, as well as two of the three classifications of the disease. The last type and most serious form of lupus is called systemic (system-wide) lupus. Systemic lupus can affect nearly any organ or system in the body. For example, it can affect the kidneys of the urinary system, the joints of the muscular system, or the lungs of the respiratory system. Some patients have one organ or system involved while for others it might be several organs and body systems. Obviously, the more organs and systems involved, the greater the problems in treating, preventing and mitigating any further progression of the disease.
There is no single way to diagnose lupus. A very thorough evaluation of the patient’s medical history (both past and present) is coupled with the results of a series of blood tests. Because of the difficulty in diagnosing lupus, it is often misdiagnosed as something less serious or completely different, such as rheumatoid arthritis or Raynaud’s disease.
Please contact your physician if you experience any of the following symptoms: the onset of a rash or reddened area on the skin, joint pain, changes in urinary function, or shortness of breath, or if you have a family history of lupus. Remember, early intervention and treatment is the key to successful control of lupus.
The next and last part of the series (Part III) will cover how to live with lupus.
In health and wellness,
Dr. Linda Mundorff
Rule #8 in Dr. Ritchason’s Golden Rules of Health
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Golden Rule 8 says, “Eat as much raw food as possible.” Basically, many of the nutrients in our fruits and vegetables, including enzymes, vitamins, phytonutrients and antioxidants, are destroyed when cooked. If food enzymes are not destroyed, they can aid our own body’s digestive enzymes so we can get more nutrition from what we eat.
There is a growing section of the pet food industry that promotes raw food including raw meat diets for our dogs and cats. A famous experiment involved raising generations of healthy cats on raw milk. When fed pasteurized milk, the cats were much less healthy. As part of my dogs’ diets (I have two rescue dogs – Sam and Petie), I feed them a raw chicken leg everyday. I heard a veterinarian speak at a natural pet conference about the importance of raw meat and raw bones for a healthy pet diet. As long as the chicken bone is raw, it won’t splinter. I wouldn’t recommend raw meat for people, but our pets have much more stomach acid than we do, which will kill all the nasty bacteria and parasites.
Wendy
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